Golf-ball.



` Patented Apr. I, |902. E. KEMPSHALL.

G 0 L F B A L L. (Application med Feb.,r14, 1902.

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' (Application le (No Model.)

Arnivr ELEAZER KEMPSIIALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TI'IE KEMPSI'IALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEV JERSEY.

GOLF-BALL,`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,894, dated April 1,V 1902. Application filed February 14, 1902 Serial No. 94,005. (No modol- To al?, whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the countyof Suifolk and State of Massachusetts,l1ave invented Certain new and useful Improvements in Golf-Balls, of` which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to playing-balls, and especially to the kind used in the game of golf; and its chief object is to improve and strengthen the outer portion of the ball, particularly with a view to providing against the bursting of the shell or cover when subjected to severe usage in a game.

In mypending applicationerial No.76,8l4, filed September 27, 190i, is illustrated a golfball provided with a Celluloid shell, this material being highly wear-resisting, not liable to be chipped nor affected by warm or cold Weather, Waterproof, and adapted to hold its color, which qualities render it valuable for use as a cover. The present invention is in the nature of an improvement on the structure illustrated in said application.

I use for the shell, preferably, a thin layer compounded of Celluloid and fabric and a thick inner layer of gutta-percha, each layer` being formed of segments, preferably hemispherical, and I depend largely upon the cohesion of the gutta-percha segments to hold the ent-ire shell together and prevent rupture of the Celluloid atthe joint. Thin Celluloid possesses as great advantages as thick Celluloid for the cover of a golf-ball and is also somewhat more flexible, besides being more easily and thoroughly'cured and toughened.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l illustrates a stage in the process of completing a ball. Fig. 2 illustrates a later stage. Figs. 3, 1l, and 5 illustrate successive steps in the process of making a half-sl1ell. Fig. 6 is a perspective, and Fig. 7 a cross-section, of a Celluloid blank which forms the cover portion of the half-shell shown atFigs. 5 and S. Fig. 8 shows a completed half-shell.

In the views similar parts are designated by similar characters of reference.

In forming a hemisplierical half-blank l for the ball-cover, Figs. 6 and 7, I use a layer of fabric 2 and a layer of Celluloid 3, which are compacted under heat and pressure, the fabric 2 being first treated with green Celluloid, so that when the more thoroughly Cured celluloid 3 is applied thereto and the Whole subjected to heat and pressure the solventin the green Celluloid acts upon sheet 3 and renders it somewhat plastic, so that it penetrates the meshes of thefabric andbecomes Welded and Concreted with the Celluloid originally contained therein, thus forming praeticallyacontinuoussheetofcelluloidhavingfabricmeshes interspersed therein and making a moldable and extremely tough and durable material for ball-Covers. NVhile I prefer to form a facing 3 on only one side of the fabric, still it may be used ou both sides thereof, the Whole, however, forming, preferably@ very thin material. The half-cover l I place ina mold-cup, Fig. 3, and within the shell I place a mass of guttapercha 6, which,'by means of a rounded plunger '7, I form into a hollow hemisphere Within the Celluloid half-shell l, Fig. 5. The latter is provided with tongues 8, preferably four in number and disposed at equal intervals, the tongues during the descent of the plunger 7 being bent inwardly, as at 8f, Fig. 4,

and finally pressed down and compacted with the gutta-percha, as at 8b, Figs. 5 and 8, by means of a recess 9 and a rim l0, formed on the plunger, thus completing a half-shell, which is now in condition for union with a similar half-shell to complete a playing-ball, said halfshell consisting of a hollow hemisphere 6"L of gutta-percha vand a casing lad of Celluloid keyed thereon. It will be understood that the half-shell maybe otherwise formed and the layers of Celluloid and guttapei-Cha or other materials may be otherwise assembled or interlocked, either before or at the completion of the entire ball, Within the scope of my invention.

For the core or filling of the ball I preferably employ a solid sphere of gutta-percha l1, Fig. l, over which is placed a sphere of soft rubber l2, these parts being placed Within the Compound half-shells, (illustrated at Fig. 8,) the tongues 8b being placed face to face, the edges of said half-shell segments, ineluding the Celluloid, being cemented or prepared for cohesion, and the whole being assembled IOO between heating and finishing dies 13 and 14. The dies are then brought together with great force and simultaneously heated, whereby the celluloid 1 and gutta-percha G are rendered plastic and caused to conform to the surface ot' the mold and also to join or weld, the linien of the gutta-percha half-shells be! ing-very thorough, while the mass of the ball is compressed. The ball is kept in the dies under pressure, as at Fig. 2, until the celluloid and gutta-percha have cooled and hardened sufficiently to retain their shape and permanently hold the cores 1l and 12 under compression. Owing to the thick or broad welding-surfaces at 6X, Fig. 8, the guttapercha hemispheres are united so effectually as to enable them to withstand severe usage, while by means of the inturned tongues or barbs 8b, which are rooted in the ball, the celluloid cover or casing is firmly locked upon the same. Preferably I also form at the edges of the celluloid half-shells inturned brims 15, which are also clenched between the guttavpercha segments, thus avoiding liability of tearing or lipping and also laffording additional welding or joining surfaces for the celluloid half-covers. It will thus be seen that each'c'asing-segment 1q1 is provided with a substantially contin nous inturued bord erorbrim having tongues or extensions 8". A ball thus made is practically proof against disruption. It is also dead to a light blow from an implement,while possessing phenomenal flying power when struck a sharp blow; and is otherwise well adapted for the requirements of the game.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of my invention. Y

In using the term celluloid I mean to include all varieties and derivatives of celluloid, pyroxylin, and the like.

yHaving described my invention, I claim- 1. Aplaying-ball comprising a casing made in sections, said casing consisting of plastic material lined with fabric, each section havnglinturned portions which are rooted in the 2. A jointed playing-ball comprising a casing made in sections, said casing consisting of plastic material lined with fabric, each section having tongues which-are turned into the ball, and the tongues upon one section lying against the tongues upon the other section, and all of said tongues lying in the joint or joints of the ball.

3. Aplaying-ballcomprisingacasing of celluloid and fabric,said casing having inwardlyextending portions that key the same to the body of the ball.

4. A jointed playing-ball having a casing consisting of celluloid and fabric formed in segments and having portions which are turned in between the jointedbody portions or segments ot' the ball.

5. A playing-ball comprising hemispherical cover-segments consisting of fabric-lined material each having inwardly-turned tongues, the tongues of one segment opposing those of the other segment, whereby said segments are locked or keyed upon the ball.

6. A playing-ball comprising joined spherical segments ineased in wear-resisting material; portions of the casing material vbeing turned in between said segments.

.7. A playing-ball comprising joined hemispherical segments covered with hemispherical segm ents of wear-resistin g material; each of the cover-segments having tongues which are turned in between the first-mentioned segments.

8. Aplaying-ball comprisingjoined or welded hemispheres of gutta-percha covered by hemispheres of celluloid; each of the celluloid hemispheres having tongues which are turned in between said hemispheres of guttapercha.

9. A playing-ball comprising a core, and hemispheres of gutta-percha joined or welded thereon, and hemispheres compounded of fabric and celluloid incasing said gutta percha; each of the incasing hemispheres having tongues which are turned in between the hemispheres of gutta-percha.

10. A playing-ball comprising a core; and hemispheres of gutta-percha joined or welded thereon, and hemispheres compounded ofv fabric and celluloid yincasing said gutta-percha; each of the incasing hemispheres having tongues which are turned in between the hemispheres of gutta-percha, and the tongues upon one of said incasing hemispheres being opposed to those upon' the'other thereof.

1l. A playing-ball comprising a sphere of soft rubber; hemispheres of gutta percha Welded or joined upon said spheres; and a covering consisting of hemispheres of fabric and celluloid secured upon said gutta-pereha; each of said covering hemispheres having tongues turned in between the hemispheres of gutta-percha.

12. A playing-ball comprising a sphere of gutta-percha; aspherical soft-rubber envelop thereon; an outer sphere of gutta-percha upon said envelop; and a covering compounded of celluloid and fabric,portions whereof are rooted orkeyed in said outer gutta-percha sphere.

13. A playing-ball comprising a sphere of gutta-percha; a spherical soft-rubber envelop thereon; hemispheres of gutta-percha Weld ed or joined upon said envelop; and a cover consisting of hemispheres of compounded fabric and celluloid secu red upon said gutta-percha; each of the covering hemispheres having tongues turned iu between said hemispheres of gutta-percha.

14. A solid playing-ball having a celluloid cover made in joined segments, each segment having devices or portions which extend into the body of the ball, and said cover being compressed upon the ball, so as to hold the interior of the ball permanently under compression.

IOO

IIO

l5. A jointed playing-ball comprising a celluloid cover made in segments, each segment having tongues which are turnedinto the ball between the joints thereof, and said cover being compressed upon the ball.

1G. Ajointed playing-ball comprising a celluloid cover made in segn'ients, each segment having tongues which are turned into the ball between the joints thereof, the tongues upon one section being cemented or attached to the tongues upon the other section, and said cover being compressed upon the ball.

17. A playing-ball comprising a yielding interior portion, and a cover of Celluloid which is compressed upon theball and holds the body thereof under permanent compression; said cover having inwardly-extending.portions or barbs which key itto the body of the ball. v

1S. A playing-ball comprisinga jointed interior portion, and welded or joined hemispherical Cover-segments com pounded of fabric and Celluloid; eachof said segments haviugtongues turned in between the joints of the interior portion, and said cover being compressed upon the ball.

lf). A playing-ball comprising joined or welded sphericalsegm ents covered with a material compounded of at least one layer-of treated fabric and at least one layer of celluloid, said material being concreted and the celluloid permeating the fabric; and said cover being compressed, and keyed upon the ball. Y

.20. A playing-ball comprising joined or welded spherical segments Covered with a material compounded of at least one layer of treated fabric and at least one layer of cellu-` loid, said material being concreted and the celluloid permeating the fabric; portions of said cover being turned in between said seg-` ments; and said cover being compressed, and keyed upon the ball.

2l. A playing-ball comprising a cover of Wear-resisting material compounded of at least one layer of fabric impregnated and faced upon both sides with celluloid; said cover being formed in segments and having tongues which are turned in between segments of which an inner port-ion of the ball is formed.

22. A playing-ball comprisingr a cover of wear-resisting material compounded of at least one` layer of fabric ilnpregnated and faced upon both sides with celluloid; said cover being keyed and compressed upon the ball.

23. A playing-ball,comprising joined or welded hemispheres of gutta-percha incased` by hemispheres of Celluloid; each of the celluloid hemispheres having tongues which are turned in between the hemispheres of gutta-` percha, and said segments and said Casin n, being compressed upon the ball. n

24. A playing-ball comprising a coreand` joined or welded hemispheres of gutta-percha each of the covering-hemispheres having tongues turnedin between the hemispheres of gutta-percha, and said gutta-percha and celluloidiholding said Core under compres sion.

26. A playing-ball comprising a sphere of gutta-percha 5.a spherical sof t-rubber envelop thereon; an outersphere of gutta-percha upon said envelop; and a Covering compounded of` celluloid and yfabric, portions whereofiiare rooted or keyed in said outer gutta-percha sphere; said gutta-percha and celluloid holding said c ore under compression. l

27. A playing-ball comprisingr a sphere-of4 gutta-percha; a spherical soft-rubberenvelop thereon; hemispheresof gutta-percha Welded or joined upon said sphere; and a covering consisting-of hemispheres compoundedof fabric and celluloid secured upon said guita-` percha; each-of the covering-hemispheres having tongues turned in between the hemispheres of guttasperchzuand saidgutta-percha and celluloid holding said core underco'mpression. C i

28. Ini a playing-ball, the Combination of a filling, a cover made in segments, eaclr of said segments having inturned border portions and projections which are clenched between portions of the iillingor nteriormass of theball.

29.v In aplaying-ball, a celluloid cover made in hemispherical segments, each segment having a substantially continuous inturned bor-` der orbrim, andprojections.

30. In a playing-ball, a celluloid'cover made in hemispherical segments, each segment having a substantially continuous inturned bor-` der or brim and alsoV a number of projections or tongues extending inwardly beyond said brim.

3l. In a playing-ball, the combination With joined or -welded segments of gntta-percha of segments compounded of celluloid and fabric covering the gutta-percha, said celluloid-and. fabric segments having inwardly-turned borders or brims and tongues extending between the segments ofgutta-percha.

32. A playing-ball comprising a thiircelluloid cover made in segments,` each segment having an inturned brim, and projections.

33. A .playing-ball, comprising a thin celluloid and fabric cover made in hemispherical IOO Segments, each segment having an inturned brim, and said brimsy being united and the cover being compressed upon said ball.

3l. A playing-ball comprising joined or welded spherical gntta-percha segments covered with a material compounded of at least one layer of treated fabric and at least one layer of Celluloid, said material being concreted and the Celluloid permeating the fabric; and said cover being compressed, and keyed upon the ball.

A playing-ball comprising a sphere of soft rubber, and a shell of guita percha thereon, said shell being covered with a material compounded of at least one` layer of treated fabric and at least one layer of celluloid, said material being concreted and the Celluloid perm eat-ing the fabric and said cover being compressed, and keyed upon the ball.

36. A playing-ball comprising a solid core of gutta-percha covered by a sphere of soft rubber, and a shell of gutta-percha thereon, said'shell being Covered with a material compounded of atleast one layer of treated fabric and at least one layer of Celluloid, said material being concreted and the Celluloid permeating the fabric; and said cover being compressed, and keyed upon the ball.

37. In a playing-ball, the combination with a yielding filling, of a shell comprising an -outer layer of Celluloid, alayerof fabric, and

a layer of gutta-percha.

3S. In a playing-ball, the combination with a sphere of gutta-percha of a shell or casing thereon consisting Wholly of an outer layer of Celluloid and a lining of fabric'.

39. In a playing-ball, the combination with a yielding filling, of a layer of gutta-percha thereon, and a casing upon said gutta-percha layer, said Casing being thinner than said 4o gutta-percha layer and consisting of Celluloid lined with fabric.

40. A playing-ball having a springy filling and provided with a Casing consisting of a single ply of celluloid lined With fabric.

il. A playing-ball havinga springy filling and provided with a casing consisting of a single ply of Celluloid lined with a single ply of fabric.

42. A playing-ball Comprising a springy 5o filling and a shell holding said filling under compression; said shell including a single ply of Celluloid lined with fabric, and said celluloid forming the Casing or periphery of the ball. 1

43. Aplaying-ball comprising a yielding filling and a shell holding said filling under compression and comprising gutta -percha, fabric and celluloid, the Celluloid forming the Casing of the ball, and the fabric being between the Celluloid and the gutta-percha.

44. A playing-ball comprising a yielding filling and ashell; said shellComprisingspherical segments of gutta-percha welded together, and also Comprising a casing consisting of fabric and celluloid; and said shell ELEAZER KEMPSI-IALL.

Witnesses:

B. C. STICKNEY, JOHN O. SEIFERT. 

